Mazda Training manual — part 229

1 – INTRODUCTION

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Piston Engine Fundamentals

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COURSE OVERVIEW

Welcome to the Mazda self-study guide Piston Engine Fundamentals. Before you begin,
please read the following information.



Audience and Purpose

This guide is designed for entry-level automotive technicians. It introduces the basic
principles of engine operation, as well as descriptions of major engine components.

The guide assumes that you have little or no knowledge about engine operation. The
information covered in this guide is required for Mazda’s Engine Course.

1 – INTRODUCTION

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Piston Engine Fundamentals

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Course Content and Objectives

In addition to this Introduction (Section 1), this guide includes five major sections and a
glossary. The objectives for each section follow.

2 – Basic Engine Operation

•

Describe how engines generate and control power.

•

Describe the four-stroke cycle.

•

Define engine design characteristics, such as bore, stroke, and displacement.

3 – Short Block

•

Identify the major parts of the short block.

4 – Valve Train

•

Identify the major parts of the valve train.

5 – Lubrication System

•

Identify the major parts of the lubrication system and describe how they lubricate engine
parts.

6 – Cooling System

•

Identify the major parts of the cooling system and describe how they control engine
temperature.

7 – Glossary

•

Define terms used throughout this guide.

1 – INTRODUCTION

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Piston Engine Fundamentals

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HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

To get the most benefit from this guide, complete the sections in order,
from 1 through 6. Allow enough time to complete each section, and don’t
try to complete the whole book in one sitting. You will retain more of
what you learn if you split up the reading and review exercises over
several days.

Section Objectives

Each section begins with a list of learning objectives. These objectives tell
you exactly what you will learn in the section. Read these objectives before
you begin a section. When you have completed the section, go back and
review the objectives to make sure you have learned the material.

Text and Illustrations

Each section includes text and illustrations that explain important concepts
and terms. Read the text carefully and study the illustrations. You may also
want to take notes as you go along.

Each illustration includes numbered “callouts” that identify engine parts or
processes described in the text. The numbered items beside the
illustration identify the parts that are called out, as shown in the following
example from Section 2.

Piston

Crankshaft

Flywheel

To transmission

1 – INTRODUCTION

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Piston Engine Fundamentals

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Review Exercises

This guide includes nine sets of Review Exercises, which appear at various points
throughout the guide. These exercises are designed to check your understanding of the
material. Make sure you answer the questions in each Review Exercise. Then check your
answers with the answer key.

If you’re not sure about one or more of your answers, go back and read the material
again. Make sure you understand the previous material before you move on to new
material.